Reports: Joel Embiid ramping up for return with the Sixers
Since Joel Embiid was placed in the NBA Health and Safety COVID-19 protocols, the Sixers have a record of 2-6 in his absence. But after the 76ers win over the Kings in Sacramento on Monday Night, there is some good news concerning Embiid's potential return in the near future:
Joel Embiid has not played since November 6th in the Sixers' win over the Bulls in Chicago. If we are to make some educated assumptions based on different reports and what little Head Coach Doc Rivers has said about his status, but it seems that Embiid was dealing with the same symptoms as Tobias Harris when he missed time. Remember that Harris missed six games when he was out in NBA Health and Safety Protocols so Embiid missing eight games so far is not unexpected.
This news comes less than 24 hours after another report stated that Joel Embiid is back working at Sixers' Facilities:
These two weeks off may have also been a "blessing in disguise" for Joel Embiid and the 76ers season since he had already been dealing with Knee Soreness that he was playing through because he knew his team needed him on the floor. This is ESPN Senior NBA Writer Ramona Shelburne's two reports on Embiid's knee from a few weeks ago:
More signs pointing to Joel Embiid imminent return is this conspicuous tweet by Joel Embiid personal trainer, Drew Hanlen:
Whether Joel Embiid returns to the court this Saturday versus the Minnesota Timberwolves or on Monday against the Orlando Magic, he may not be 100 percent himself after he was basically inactive for almost two full weeks. But if the Sixers ramp up Embiid's minutes and Joel is patient with "The Process" of getting back to full strength, I would not be surprised to see his MVP-caliber level play in just a couple of weeks and for the rest of this NBA season.